The Home of the Year finale has arrived and the excitement is palpable. After months of intense competition and countless jaw-dropping designs, it’s finally time to see who will come out on top. But for those of us who have been following the show closely, one thing is clear – we’re not going to get that award south of the Border for decades. The unique and innovative designs showcased on this year’s show have blown us away, and it’s clear that the talent and creativity of Irish architects and builders is truly unmatched. So, let’s dive in and take a closer look at this year’s finalists and their incredible homes.
Home of the Year on RTÉ One has just wrapped up, and it’s left me feeling a little exhausted. Don’t get me wrong, it was an exciting finale, but there was just so much to take in: all the embellishment, saturated colours, and raised platforms from the judges alone. The final took place in Georgian splendour, making it both amazing and aspirational at the same time.
However, the award itself was a bit of a disappointment, given its frightfully fragile appearance. The lettering was dismal, leaving something to be desired, and it doesn’t look like it will make it till the end of the year. Despite this, all seven finalists were ecstatic to be there, discussing their homes with passion and enthusiasm. Interestingly, all the homes in the final belonged to couples, leaving single people wondering why they too have not been deemed decorators at heart.
The Home of the Year final was fast-paced, cramming in seven homes within half an hour. It was a bit of a dizzying blur, making it hard to keep track of where we were. Were we in the modern mid-century home in Dublin or the reimagined semi-detached? If we were in the North, were we located in the Victorian home in Co Down or the Edwardian home with the spectacular extension in Belfast? Perhaps we were at that scenic, new build home in Antrim, which seemed to leave a lasting impression on the judges.
The judges were vocal about their preferences, highlighting full-height glazing and expansive kitchens. They also noted how the vast island in one of the homes ticked a box for them. It was clear that Hugh Wallace was enthralled with the Wedding Cake home, whereas Amanda Bone thought it was over the top. Hugh expressed his adoration for it in a way that could only be described as nothing short of endearing.
Home of the Year featured 21 homes this season, and it was an intense and speedy process to bring the finalists down to just three. Unfortunately, the dark and moody home in Kilkenny was knocked out due to its lack of ambient lighting. It may have been due to too much ambient lighting, but at this point, the details are still a bit hazy. The Edwardian home in Belfast was eliminated due to a disconnect with upstairs, and it wasn’t clear why the restored village home in Mayo was eliminated. It was tough to see the modern mid-century home in Dublin get cut too.
In the end, it was the scenic and secluded new build in Antrim that came out on top. It was undoubtedly the most expensive homes of the seven finalists, and its grandiosity that impressed the judges. The judges then proceeded to move among the finalists, praising the homes that they had just subjected to the most stringent critique. The finalists were commendable, given the time, effort, and money that poured into their homes, leaving the judges and audience alike feeling exhausted.
Overall, Home of the Year was a whirlwind of excitement, style, and creativity for the homeowners and viewers alike. It was a reminder that a home can be a masterpiece filled with personal style that tells its own story. The concept of Home of the Year provides an inspiration that with the right amount of creativity and hard work, we too can craft our little slice of paradise.
The Home of the Year 2021 finale has been an absolute delight for design enthusiasts everywhere. We’ve seen some breathtaking architectural marvels and jaw-dropping interior designs. With such tough competition, it was anyone’s guess who would come out on top. As we bid farewell to the series, one thing is crystal clear – we’re not going to get that award south of the Border for decades.
The talent and creativity we’ve witnessed during the series have been second to none. The homes showcased have been a testament to the incredible talent of architects and interior designers across the nation. The finalists have set a benchmark that’s going to be hard to beat, and it’s going to be exciting to see what the future holds.
As we reflect on the Home of the Year 2021, we can’t help but feel inspired by the incredible work of our designers. They’ve taken ordinary spaces and transformed them into functional, stunning habitats that reflect the very best of contemporary design. Even though we’ve not won the award this year, we’ve gained a lot from this experience, and we sure have set our sights high for the future.
As the curtain falls on this year’s Home of the Year, we’d like to say a massive congratulations to the winner(s) and all the other finalists for the fantastic job they’ve done. It’s been an honor to have been part of this journey. Until next year, we can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with.
